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Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Description: The star of BBC 6 Music and Mock The Week tests out his latest stand-up show.
Thoughtful: Russell Howard has some dazzling material
With his blond hair and trim torso Russell Howard is more boy band crooner than stand-up comedian and his growing army of devotees agree. At his biggest gig yet they were in pure pop fan mode, waving placards and worshipping his distinctive brand of wonderful lunacy.
The Mock The Week star is infinitely funnier on stage than on telly. His anecdotes have more room to breath, even when Howard lets rip so frenetically that he barely inhales.
He is scattershot but in a good way, embracing tales about everything from defiant grannies to wearing your friend’s mum’s swimsuit. Even mundane material about talent shows and cooking programmes is enriched by his exuberant whimsy.
Anyone for his new series in which contestants have to fit playing cards into the lines on Gordon Ramsay’s face? This giddiness also extends into reality, judging from a story about hiding under his brother’s bed for fun.
One could have done with fewer impersonations of people with learning difficulties and more sublime turns of phrase. A bacon sandwich is “bread giving a dead pig a cuddle”, while a man with a lightbulb stuck in his mouth looks as if he has “swallowed a thought”. Dazzling stuff from a comedian positively bursting with thoughts.
Also 5 December (0870 606 3400) and Wembley Arena
4 December (0844 815 0815) www.russell-howard.co.uk
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I was also at that gig on Saturday night at the Apollo, and it was fantastic! Russell is brilliantly funny and kept the audience laughing throughout! I remember the lady who was heckling, and Russell completely outsmarted her! I don't know what she was saying, but you could tell she was completely on her own. Soon the audience were all laughing with him at her! She did indeed leave before the end. It was hilarious to watch!
I recommend anyone to go and see Russell!
- Jenny, Farnborough, Hampshire
I went to see him on Sat night and he was great. There was one mad lady in the audience who was giving him some abuse (for no reason) and he handled it really well. She left before the end and obviously she doesn't get out much or know what funny is.
Overall the whole show was great entertainment
- Mike, Milton Keynes
